Ways To Bring Natural Light Into Your Home

The experts tell us that our homes should ideally be positioned to take advantage of the sun (i.e. north-facing). But as this is not always possible, many homes miss out on the benefits of natural light. In this article, we aim to point out those benefits and suggest some ways to capture more natural light in your living spaces.

Benefits Of Natural Light

Artificial light cannot hope to duplicate the warmth of natural lighting, which has a number of recognised benefits. Some of these include:

• Boosts serotonin levels – Serotonin is a hormone that boosts your mood and helps you feel calm and focused. Low levels of serotonin increase the risk of depression.

• Increases vitamin D levels – natural light also stimulates the body to produce more vitamin D, which is beneficial for blood pressure, bone health and to prevent certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Saves energy – Because light from the sun is free, natural lighting can help to reduce average household energy bills [lighting can account for up to one third of the cost].
• Improve aesthetics - Natural light can not only brighten your interior space, it can also make it appear larger than it actually is. While poorly lit spaces can feel small and cramped, light colored, well-lit spaces can have the opposite effect.
• Improves sleep – Regular exposure to light and darkness has been shown to keep our body clocks in sync. Waking to sunlight in the morning helps to improve body functions and sleep patterns.
• Improves well-being – Sunlight makes us feel better and helps to reduce negative psychological symptoms such as agitation and stress.
• Reduces mould – Mould can be a problem, especially in colder climates and it can even be a health hazard if left unchecked. Natural light combats mould by preventing spores from forming.

Ways To Increase Natural Light

While some of the ways suggested here can be expensive up front, they will allow you to experience all of the benefits listed above in the long run, and therefore are worth considering.

Skylights

Often referred to as windows for the roof, skylights are the most effective way of introducing more natural light into a space. The light they bring in is more direct and consistent than other means, because there are less obstructions between them and the sun overhead.

While skylights are expensive to install and might not be suitable for all types of homes, they should definitely be considered if possible, especially in spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms

Light tubes

Light tubes (Tubular Daylight Devices) are a less expensive and more versatile alternative to skylights. They can be installed in smaller spaces where direct sunlight is not always possible.

They have a dome on the roof which captures sunlight and transmits it down through a reflective duct into the space below. To reduce the glare to acceptable levels, a diffuser on the bottom turns the sun into a warm glow, much like an overhead light.

Light colours

Dark colours reduce the effect of natural light, so using light and neutral tones on the walls and ceiling will help to change the mood and create a more bright, airy and uplifting space.

To avoid creating an overly stark or clinical look, an all-white interior can be contrasted with darker furnishings.

Reflective surfaces

Mirrors can be used to enhance the natural light entering a room. A strategically placed mirror can not only make a room seem brighter, but larger as well.

Other forms of reflection can include any highly reflective surface such polished wood floors, metallic objects like door handles and tapware in kitchens and bathrooms.

Open plan living

One of the most effective ways to let in natural light is to open up the living areas. This can be achieved by widening doorways or removing walls altogether to create larger more open plan spaces.

This can be costly and not always possible in some homes. The benefits of open plan living cannot be overstated.

Indoor/outdoor living

This is becoming a popular trend, especially in warmer climates. Bringing the outdoors inside not only allows the sounds and smells of the garden to permeate your home, but lets in a lot more natural light as well. It can be achieved by installing bi-fold doors, sliding doors or French windows.

Another way is to screen-in an existing deck or veranda. The addition of a few items such as a lounge or sofa bed, easy chair and potted greenery can transform it into another living space.

Because natural light offers so many benefits to health and well-being, it’s well worth exploring ways to incorporate it into your home. As this article shows, it doesn’t always have to cost an arm and a leg but if you are planning to renovate, this would obviously be the best time to do it.